JASONThere had once been a time when a three-year-old’s birthday party would have sent me running for the hills. But when one of the birthday girls was your daughter, that wasn’t really an option. I cut the engine, climbed out of my SUV, and set about emptying the trunk of all the balloons Fee and Hailee had sent me out to get.Fuck knows why we needed more balloons. Cam’s house was already full of the damn things. But I knew better than to argue with my wife and my sister.Hands full, I trudged up the driveway, which was already full of cars, and let myself into the house. It sounded like a zoo, kids running and screaming, adults hovering on the fringes unsure whether to intervene or let them have at it.God, I missed football.At least back then, things were simple.“Daddy, Daddy,” Lily charged at my legs. “You got boons.”“Sure did, baby.” I thrust the handful of balloons at the first person I saw and scooped up the birthday girl. “Are you enjoying your party?”“Yes,” she shrieked
CAMERON“THIS IS THE LIFE,” ASHER SAID AS HE LAID BACK ON THE LOUNGER, FOLDING HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS head.He wasn’t wrong.His family’s place in the Hamptons was something else. We’d been out here before, him, Jason, and me, but this time was different. Better. This time we had our girls with us, and it was our final summer together before we went off to college. Hailee and I were heading to Michigan next week to get settled before classes started. Then Jason and Felicity would be moving to UPenn in a couple of weeks, with Asher and Mya across the river at Temple University.It was the end of an era. No more Raiders, no more high school, but a new adventure.I flicked my eyes to Jason who was sat in a chair, elbows propped on his thighs, chin resting on his fists. “They’ll be okay, you know.” I chuckled, sliding my gaze to where the girls were currently dipping their toes at the water’s edge.“It’s not them I’m worried about,” he grunted. “It’s them.” Jason tipped his head to where a g
“You should know not to dare me by now. I never lose.” He winked before diving at her. One minute Mya was standing there, the next she was over Asher’s shoulder, shrieking like a banshee as he ran straight toward the ocean.“He’s so gonna get it,” I said around a smile, watching as Asher dropped her into the water.“He’s gonna get something all right.” Jason barked out a laugh.“Why is everything about sex to guys?”“And girl.” Flick snickered, holding up a finger.I rolled my eyes, unable to smother the laughter building in my chest as Jase dipped my best friendand smothered her with wet, sloppy kisses.Despite all his alpha ways, they were so freaking cute. Even if she had completely lost her mind and let someone tattoo ‘Property of a Raider’ on her skin. But that was Felicity Giles, a girl who loved with her whole heart and lived every second like it was her last. I was excited for them to go off to UPenn and chase their dreams. Even if Cameron and I would be a nine-hour ride away
“It’s okay,” I said, forcing a weak smile. “Nine hours is nothing. We can still see each other at the weekend and at holidays.”“Damn right we can.” Asher tipped his beer at us. “Nothing, not college, distance or time, is going to ruin this.”His words settled over the six of us, turning the air thick with anticipation.College was a big step. Things would change. We would change.But was Asher right?Were the bonds between us strong enough to survive?PART ISophomore YearJASON“OKAY, GATHER ROUND,” COACH FAULKNER CALLED US IN, AND WE FELL INTO POSITION AROUND HIM. Shoulder to shoulder, teammate to teammate. The anticipation of a new season was thick in the air. Last season, as a freshman, I’d been so close to tasting victory, but in the end it had been Cornell who took the title.It had been a bitter pill to swallow. I wanted to be the best, to win, to prove myself.But this year… this year it was ours. We were thirsty for it: training harder, pushing harder. I might have only been
“Jason...” I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. “That’s amazing. I’m so freakin’ proud of you.” I slung my arms around his neck and crushed him to me, peppering his face in sloppy kisses. “My boyfriend, QB One and captain of the Penn Quakers.”But he didn’t revel in my excitement. He was still and quiet.Too quiet.“Jase?” I held him at arm’s length. “What is it?”“What if I’m not ready? What if I screw it up? Fuck, you should have seen the way they were all looking at me. As if I had the answers, the power to make things happen.”“Babe, listen to me and listen good. You, Jason Ford, are one of the best quarterbacks in the country right now. You came into a well-established team and proved yourself in your freshman year. You ranked third for the most passing yards in a single season.” Pride flooded me. “Third, babe.That’s huge. Not to mention the fact you blew the Quakers passing yards record out of the water.”Jason was already in the Penn Quaker Hall of Fame; he’d already made Quaker h
“I can feel you, Felicity, feel you squeezing my dick.” He whispered the dirty words against my ear as I unraveled. “Come for me, babe. Come all around my…” I shattered around him, crying out his name, over and over.Jason flattened himself against me, slamming into me with renewed vigor as I rode the lingering waves of pleasure.His body locked up tight, his jaw tense with concentration as he jerked inside me.We lay there, silent and sated and I’d never felt happier. We’d had an amazing freshman year together, and now we had three years of living as a couple, in a cute little off-campus apartment a few minutes’ walk away from Penn.But no matter how happy I was, how madly in love with Jason I was, there was always a little voice of doubt in the back of my mind.Jason was already Quaker royalty. In one season he had won the hearts of his teammates, coaches, and fans. And now he was captain. He would soon be thrust into the public eye more than ever.No matter how hard I wanted to bel
“Sounds good.” Some of the tension left me. Darcy was my tutor. This was strictly a business relationship. Jason couldn’t get pissed about that. Besides, he knew I was his.I felt a lick of determination skitter up my spine. I needed this if I was going to be able to survive sophomore year. I needed help.And Darcy Bannerman came highly recommended.After almost two hours, and a rigorous plan, Darcy and I packed away our things and left the coffee shop. “So I’ll see you Wednesday?” he said, waiting for me to move ahead of him. “Sounds good,” I said, ducking around him and stumbling straight into— “Jason?”“Hey,” he shot me a smile that made my knees weak. “How was tutoring?” His arms went around me, as he dipped his head to kiss me.“It was good. I... uh... this is Darcy, my tutor.” I wriggled free of his grasp to step aside and introduce them.The second Jason’s eyes landed on Darcy his expression darkened. “You’re the tutor?” “Darcy Bannerman.” He held out his hand. “You must be the
My jaw clenched as I pictured that fucker’s face. I didn’t know him from Adam, but I already didn’t like him. He’d be spending time with Felicity. My woman, the other half of my fucking soul.Possessive asshole or not, I was not okay with some guy spending quality time alone with my girl. “It’s just tutoring.” He snorted. “You don’t have anything to worry about.” “Don’t I?” My brow rose.Felicity was gorgeous. All seductive curves and wild spirit. I saw guys around campus watching her, wishing they could have a taste. They soon backed the fuck off when they saw me, but still.“Seriously, bro, Fee wouldn’t look twice at another guy. She doesn’t get all crazy possessive when we hang out with the cheer squad.”Oh, she did. I just didn’t advertise the fact. Freshman year, Felicity had almost attacked a girl for trying to get my number at a party. Instead, I’d dragged her to the nearest bedroom and fucked the anger right out of her.Our love was like wildfire. It burned constantly. Throw w